Sam Barsh, Mark Guiliana, Keyon Harrold · 2026
Straight08
The 808-drenched jazz equivalent of "these gummies ain't shit" two seconds before straight floating through the ceiling.
Straight08, albeit only mildly clever when it comes to puns (808, get it?), excels at delivering an auditory mindfuck akin to "having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick."
Is it jazz? Honestly, who cares. Barsh, Guiliana, & Keyon in the same lineup feels illegal, like LeBron, Wade, and Bosh each dropping 30 in one night without ever fighting over who gets the rock.
Sure, there's a nod to Monk and one of the best covers of "Little Sunflower" ever (truly), but overall this thing just hits different.
The bass is swapped out for 808s, with Barsh's left hand conjuring lines unlike anything jazz has heard before, while his right lays down moody, ambient synth overdubs. Guiliana's nonstop slaying, because that's what Guiliana does. As the rhythm section steamrolls ahead, the structure somehow stays wide open for Harrold to soar over with beautiful, sweeping melodies.
One of my favorite albums of 2026 thus far. So grab your best pair of headphones (you'll need 'em for the 808s), hit play, and get ready to sit down (hol' up), and be humbled.
By Sebastien Helary